Pay With Your Heart

Chapter 8: Not Ready

“Hei-Ran, please could you help me pass this to Eun-sun” Ji-Sang pleaded passing a small paper bag to her.

“What’s in there?” Hei-Ran asked narrowing her brows as she refused taking the bag.

“They are chocolates, do you think Eun-sun will like them?” He asked with a shy smile on his face.

“You should know what she’ll like. But why are you giving them to me and not her directly?” she asked frowning, ignoring his question.

“You know why already” he said rolling his eyes while Hei-Ran equally did same.

Of course she knew why he was giving it to her and not Eun-sun, because they both know she will definitely reject it. Eun-Sun had repeatedly asked him not to buy her gifts but this guy was just too adamant, and won’t do as he was told.

Hei-Ran and Ji-Sang have been Eun-sun best friends since playschool. They have grown to be like siblings. And have become her confidants after her father left. But things became awkward when Eun-Sun realized Ji-Sang feelings for her. This had somewhat interfered with their relationship, because Eun-Sun didn’t feel the same way he did or as she claimed, wasn’t ready for a relationship.

.....

“I can’t take this to her, you have to do it yourself” she said.

“But...why?” He asked wondering what her reason might be for refusing to help him.

“Because she will be angry, so angry she might want to take my head off” she replied him angrily. Eun-sun had hit her hard and chased her the last time she brought the gifts he gave her. There was no way she’d do that again.

“Bu....”

She interrupted “No Ji-Sang, I know you like her... I’ve always known you do, but you should muster some courage and tell her about it..I mean man-up” she told him sounding even more angry than she was before.

“Why haven’t you told her yet? she asked again, glaring at him.

“Because she isn’t ready and you know it, she keeps saying she is not ready for any relationship...at all” He replied frustratedly. He had tried to tell her but she won’t hear of it.

“You should try harder and make her listen or just give her more time” She said with a sigh. Hei-Ran was suddenly distracted by her ringing phone.

She rummaged through her purse in search for it, she hurriedly picked it up when she realized who was calling as soon as she found it.

“Hello”

“Hei-Ran, where are you?” Eun-sun asked, as soon as she heard Hei-Ran’s voice over the phone.

“I’m at my neighbourhood, did you go to work today?” she asked. 𝐟re𝐞w𝐞𝒃𝓃𝒐𝐯𝚎𝒍.c૦𝚖

“No, I’m at the hospital”

“Hospital??” she said raising her voice unexpectedly. “Did your mom hit you again? Don’t tell me she did, because I will kill her even if she’s your mom ” she said in a fit of anger as she turned away from Ji-Sang who has now grown interest in her conversation.

“No of course not. I had an accident” she said making Hei-Ran’s eyes widen with shock.

“Are you sure? You are not lying to me are you?” Hei-Ran didn’t know if she should believe her friend. This was not the first time Eun-Sun had covered for that mother of hers. She had a feeling Eun-Sun might be doing it again.

Hei-Ran had arrived to that conclusion, because Song-Hee had done that to her Eun-Sun on several occasions. But Eun-Sun had never reported it. Even when neighbors had called social services, Eun-Sun had covered up for her mother, over and over again. Her first rodeo had almost claimed her life, she had a broken jaw and a heavily battered skin. The others tend to be an improvement of last.

“I’m not lying. I swear” Eun-Sun replied with a convincing tone.

“Really but how? I mean when? You didn’t break your arm, or your leg right? oh no your pretty face, hope you didn’t hurt it. I have always told you to be careful right” she utterd in a worried tone making Eun-sun roll her eyes. Her friend has always been in for the dramatics.

“I’m fine. I called to ask if you could bring some food, I’m really hungry” she said as she pressed on her rumbling stomach.

“Okay, I’m coming there right now. Wait for me okay”

“Thanks, I will get the address of the hospital from the nurse and message it to you right away” Eun-sun said.

“Okay” Hei-Ran said as she hung up.

“I have to leave” she said turning to Ji-Sang who was still standing behind her.

“Was that Eun-sun? is she okay?” he asked with a concern look.

“Yes..No, I mean... let’s talk later” she said hurriedly wanting to run off .

“Wait, please give it to her” He said as he placed the bag in her hand, which she just grabbed and ran off.